Friends Who Are Going

Friends Attending

Friends Attending

Friends Attending

Description

This group is a meetup group for people who either identify as autistic/Aspie or suspect that they might be somewhere on the autistic spectrum, but who feel somewhat out of place among the less emotional math/science/logic-oriented Aspies. If you lean more toward creativity, intuition, non-linear thinking, and heart-centred connections with people, this may be the place for you! Just as a side note: I am aware that empirical studies don't generally support the pop psychology notion of a literal, mutually exclusive division of labor between the hemispheres, so I am referring more to the symbolic importance of what is traditionally considered to be "right-brained" thinking.

This is a very casual social group but we can also double as a support group if need be. It's basically just a place where we can feel free to be ourselves.

Please note that this group is only open to adults and teenagers who can attend unaccompanied by parents and who are actually on the autistic spectrum themselves (or suspect that they might be). This is because there are many resources for parents of autistic children (for example, there are many such events at Autism Calgary) but scant few for adults. And while we certainly appreciate our allies, there are certain issues that are specific to people on the spectrum and are therefore best addressed by speaking for ourselves to a group of our peers instead of being spoken for by others as we so often are in mainstream society. Although there are many intense challenges involved with being on the autistic spectrum, for the most part we are happy with who we are and would rather be supported, understood, and loved than "cured". Taking away our autism would also take away our uniqueness.

Please be aware that, because this is a group for people on the autistic spectrum, there are many members with environmental sensitivities. Please always show respect if someone mentions their sensitivities to you and refrain from over-stimulating them. Thanks for your understanding.

The group is using the Autism Calgary Office but is not facilitated by Autism Calgary Staff.